Description

Catalogued from negative on machine that only views in positive so some details unclear.

Reel 1. A Times Film Production. Commentator: James McKechnie. Commentary written by: Norman Swallow. Editor: Douglas A. Clarke. Music Adviser: Reginald Jordan. Directed and Photographed by: Frank Chilton. "The Producers Gratefully acknowledge the co-operation of the Meteorological Office, the Officers and crew of the Ocean Weather Ship "Weather Explorer" and the Air Ministry Information Division for the facilities afforded during the production of this film.

L/S of the ship. C/U of a letter being written. The address is: Ocean Weather Ship, "Weather Explorer", Great Harbour, Greenock. The letter is addressed to Susan and lets her know that the author of the letter will be returning home soon. M/S of a postman walking along beside a hedge with a satchel of mail over his shoulder. He opens a gate and walks up a path towards a front door. C/U of a letter being posted through the slot in the front door. The postman knocks on the door after he has posted the letters. Top shot of the letters on the floor inside the house. A young boy comes into shot and picks them up. M/S of him giving them to his mother. She sits on an armchair and looks at the envelopes. She looks excited about a particular letter and shows the envelope to the little boy - they both smile. C/U of the letter being opened. Mother and son are sitting on the chair together. C/U of the letter. Voiceover "reads" the letter. L/S of ships in Greenock harbour. C/U of a sign on a door that reads "Ocean Weather Ships." The door opens and two men emerge, one man points at something. L/S of the harbour. The weather ships are converted Corvettes. M/S of one of the ships. M/S of a group of "met types" - weather men preparing some hydrogen cylinders. Our narrator walks towards them carrying a suitcase. The senior Met Officer introduces our narrator to all of the men. They shake hands. L/S of the ship. C/U of a sign above a door which reads: "Met Officer No. 1. Our narrator walks into the room and puts his suitcase on the bed. C/U of the washbasin. He places a photograph of his wife and son David on the desk and switches on a lamp. Low angle shot of crew members of the ship. Continued.